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2015-12-15T18:22:01-05:00

Response by CW5 Christopher Dodd made Dec 16 at 2015 7:11 AM

2015-12-16T07:11:14-05:00

Why do you believe the 160th has the best pilots? There are exceptional pilots in the 160th, but that doesn't mean the rest of Army Aviation doesn't. Ever see the movie The Right Stuff? There is a scene where the two NASA guys go to Edwards AFB to recruit test pilots, one says to the other, "Look there's Chuck Yeager, let's go talk to him" the other says no, he doesn't fit the profile, no college degree... We want the best pilots we can get..."
So, the issue for me with your topic statement isn't that all the best pilots are in the 160th, it's what you are missing, it's that the 160th only accepts the best pilots available. You, and I mean you have to be really good at what you do before you apply, to be even considered by the 160th. The 160th doesn't take someone and send them through a course and make them the best, the candidates bring that with them and the 160th hones that to what the need.
Respectfully, if you want a letter of recommendation, I'd stick with someone closer to home, someone that knows you personally. I've sat on several WOC selection boards and the letter of recommendation(s) are a part of the packet - not the most important part. I've reviewed packets where there are letters of recommendation were from people the prospective candidate couldn't possible know, so it kind of came off as a negative. Every packet on the board met the administrative requirements to be reviewed, by that I mean they all had 3 letters of recommendation, etc. The board members aren't so easily swayed by reading a letter from the Chief of Staff, they look more at the substance of the packet.

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Dec 23 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-12-23T20:57:51-05:00

I agree with CW5 Dodd and I'm not a pilot but if you came to from from let's say Ft Hood and said: "Chief, can you interview me and possibly write a letter for me because I rather have a LOR from a BRAGG Sr Warrant" I'd have an issue with that for the same reasons Chief explained. Also I'm pretty sure it's a requirement to get someone from within your installation. I never asked a WO who wrote their letter because being a WO it's about what YOU know and what YOU bring to the table. Your NCOERs, awards, education, AFAST score, resume, etc... will tell your story. Chief is there mostly to say "this guy's character and mil records match what we (Big Army, not a specific organization) look for in potential WOs in a certain WO MOS. WO packets go through a lot of "gate keepers" per say and it could be stopped at any of these gates. Therefore don't waste your time looking for stars in another galaxy when there are plenty near by. Concentrate on getting your packet, and AFAST completed first. Then your physical and the WO LOR. If you need more assistance let me know.

Response by CW3 Jeff Slater made Jan 11 at 2016 7:29 AM

2016-01-11T07:29:26-05:00

Sorry i am just getting back to you. I was a technician not a pilot. Can't tell ya nothing about piolts except all the ones that have taken me around the battlefeild never crashed! Well there was one time..... Lol